Two additional Iranian diplomats attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York have been expelled from the United States. The US Department of State formally confirmed the expulsions after the diplomats failed to leave the country following a strict deadline. A senior US official, citing instructions from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stated, “Secretary Rubio is firm on enforcement. Even long after the General Assembly concluded, two members of the Iranian delegation remained in New York. After their authorized stay expired, they were expelled.”
According to US officials, last Monday the State Department issued a strict order demanding the immediate return of the entire Iranian mission at the UN. However, Iran countered by asserting that the team led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had already departed as scheduled and accused the US of spreading false information. Despite Iran’s denial, US officials discovered on Friday that two Iranian diplomats were still in New York and subsequently issued a final warning demanding their immediate departure. One diplomat left the US late Friday night, and the other departed early Saturday morning. With indirect talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, regional ceasefire, and nuclear program issues concluding without agreement, tensions between Washington and Tehran have further escalated. Amid failed diplomatic efforts and increasing risk of new military conflicts, the US move is seen as a strategy to increase pressure on Tehran.
